Dish-washing machine control unit



y' 1951 J. LA RAUS ET AL DISH-WASHING MACHINE CONTROL UNIT 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 25, 1947 Ell E) INVENTORS if. MM. or K @(Qflaw J77? J. LA RAUS ET AL -WASHING MACHINE CONTROL UNIT.

May 1, 1951 DISH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 25, 1947 INVENTORS a// B ,9477 M Q V 17A 1. v A \V L. a A i A, w. P W P w P M V T MN A M w m m m ms 0 g 0 F T. I V mm. M

Patented May I, 1951 UNITE D .S TAT ES =AT E NT OFF ICE'DISH-WA'SHKNG'MACHINE CONTROL UNI-T Julius La Raus, Westport, andDavidW. Wollin,

Bridgeport, Conn, assignors to American Dishwasher Corporation, acorporation of Delaware ApplicationAugust 25, 1947., Serial No."77 0,376

is to'provide a dishwas'hing machine having an improved control unitwhich'is reliable and positive in operation and inexpensive toconstruct.

Another object of the invention is to provide ia'novel control unit forwashing machines which is simple in operation, requiresa relativelysmall space and which provides a completely automatic cycle of operationincluding the feeding of a measured quantity of wash water to the tub,con- 'tinuous circulation of the wash water through "a jet-propelledspray arm, draining of the wash water followed by feeding of rinse waterto'the tub, similar circulation of the same and finally draining of therinse'water.

Yet another object of the invention isto provide an improved valvearrangement andvalve actuating means for washing machines wherein asimple and inexpensive prime mover, 'disassociated from any motivepowerfor operating'the washer, actuates the valves with positive'ness andcertainty. Although other washing machines provide a substantiallysimilar cycle of operation the controls generally requiresolenoid-operated valves and the resulting equipment is relativelycostly to construct and maintain. The control unit of thepresent-invention is simple and positive in operation and can bemanufactured at a modest cost.

A further object of the invention .is to provide an automatic washingmachine having a predetermined washing and rinsing period which maybeincreased or decreased at the will of the user. This structure includesa synchronous timer motor having a train of reducing gears arranged toproduce one complete revolution of the drive shaft in each cycle ofoperation which may be fifteen minutes or thereabouts. The drive shaftcarries cams which control operation of the delivery of Water to thetub, the Water cir- 2 starting position and obtain the desired minutes.W Y

The embodiment {of the invention chosen for "illustration in the drawingis a portable dishwasher requiring -no "plumbing services to install.The invention may, of course, be embodied in a more elaborate apparatusdesigned for perrna nent installation, or it may be embodied inaWashercl'esignedffor uses other than the cleaning "of dishes. In otherwords, the control 'unit of the present "invention maybe usedinconnection with a variety o'f'machines "for the treatment of materialsby-fiuids.

The control unit, "per se, may also be employed in connection withexisting, manually controlled Washing machines.

In thedrawings:

Fig. '1 is a side elevation, partly in section, or 'a dishwashingmachine "and the control unit therefor embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is-a broken section taken on line 2- 2 "of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is abrolren section through one of "the valves, the section beingtaken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2

Fig. 4 is another section taken through the valve shown inFig. 3 andshowing the valve in open position Fig. '5 is a broken sectionthroughanother of the valves, the section being taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a section similar to Fig. 5 but shows a "different position ofthe valve member;

Fig. 7 is a section taken on line l-I of Fig. 2;,

Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 88 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a plan view "of the cams showing their cycle of operation, and

Fig. 10 shows-a circuit which may be employed in connection with thecontrol unit.

The dishwashing machine of the present invention includes a tub H! whichmay be of generally rectangular shape and may include racks H forsupporting the dishes during the washing operation. The construction ofthese racks forms no part of the present invention. A removable culationmotor, the valves, and "operation of the cover 15 DOSItIOIIBd the pp end0 e timer motor itself. A one-way friction clutch may be interposedbetween the final gear of the 'gear'train and the drive shaft to permitmanual rotation thereof to speed up the parts of the cycle, if desired,or to "increase the time of any part by rotating the shaft somethingless than a complete revolution alter a part of 'a cycle "has commenced.Thus, on a six -minute Wash cycle the shaft can be rotated to reduce thesiX niin- The lower wall I3 is provided with a generally central openingwhich receives a bushing M forming a journal support for the hub 15 of aspray arm [6 having obliquely-set jet nozzles 20 so disposed as toimpart rotation to the spray arm when water under pressure issuestherefrom.

An angle fitting 2| connects the bushing 14 with a pipe 22 which feedswater to the spray arm during the Washing and rinsing cycles. The lowerwall iii of the housing maybe supported on legs 23 to provide clearancefor the water delivery pipe 22.

The entire control unit is disposed within a relatively small housing l9mounted at one end of the tub. Water is fed to the washer through aconduit 24 which leads to a faucet or other source of heated water. Thisconduit is connected with valve 25 which in turn is connected withdelivery pipe 26 passing through an opening in an end wall 30 of thetub.

After the wash water in a predetermined quantity has been delivered tothe tub, it is withdrawn therefrom for the purpose of recirculationthrough pipe 3| leading into the tub l0. Mesh strainer 32 prevents foodparticles from passing out of the tub. Pipe 3| is connected at 34 to apump 33 which is driven by motor 35, the pump and motor shafts beingconnected by coupling 36.

-The water issues from pump 33 through a conduit 49 connected with theinlet 39 of a twoway-valve 4| having outlets 42 and 43, the latter beingconnected with conduit 44 which is connected with delivery pipe 22.Thus, when 1e two-way valve-is in the position shown in Fig. 6, thewater under pressure from the pump is returned to the tub forrecirculation, and

when-suchvalve is in the position shown in Fig. the water issues throughoutlet 42 into conduit 45 which leads to the drain (not shown).

Valves 25 and 4| are operated by the synchronous timer motor 46 earlierreferred to and having drive shaft 50 arranged to make one completerevolution during each complete cycle "of operation, which is indicatedin Fig. 9 as behas keyed thereto a number of cams including cams 5| and52 arranged to close contacts 53 and 54, respectively, on micro-switcheswhich control operation of the pump motor and the timer motor and cams55 and 56 which control valves 25 and 4|, respectively.

Referring now to valve 25 shown in detail in Figs. 3 and 8, it will benoted that the valve includes a cylindrical housing 60 closed at 6|.Threaded at 62, the valve housing is mounted in wall 63 by means of cap64 and nut 65. Valve member 66 is mounted in the housing for slidingmovement and is urged outwardly by spring 10. A slot relieves pressurein the spring chamber. The valvemember has an annular recess 12 topermit the passage of fluid when the valve is open. It is provided withinlet and outlet connections '13 and 14 to which'conduits 24 and 26,respectively, are secured. Valve stem 15 has packing l6 and may beformed with slot 80 at engages the face of cam 55. This cam has tworises, 83 and 82, for opening the valve to inject water for" the washingand rinsin cycles, respectively. The rises shown on cam 55 as well asthose in cam 56 are exaggerated and they may be much more shallow.

Valve 4| is provided with a cylindrical housing 84 closed at 85. It isthreaded at 85 and-is mounted on wall 90 by means of cap- 9| and nut92....Valve member 93 has two oppositely-facing slots 94 and 95, andwhen slot 94 is disposed opposite inlet port 39 (Figs. -6 and 7) waterunder pressure from the pump is directed into outlet port 43 and conduit44 and thence back to the its outer terminal. A pin or roller 8| in theslot spray arm in the tub. When, however, slot 95 is opposite inlet port39 (Fig. 5) the water is directed to the other outlet port 42 and thenceto drain conduit 45.

A spring 95 urges the valve member 93 outwardly. Valve stem H!!! isprovided with packing |G| and a slot H32 at its outer end within whichpin or roller IE3 is mounted. Cam 56 has two rises H34 and H25 whichengage the roller and move the valve member.

A suitable circuit for operating the washer is illustrated in Fig. 10.The circuit includes power lines I06, the timer motor 46 and microswitch54 controlling operation thereof, and the pump motor 35 and micro-switch53 controlling operation thereof. A light I 0 may be positioned at anysuitable place externally of the housing I 9 to indicate that thecircuit is closed. This light is shown as being in series with the timermotor which runs continuously during the full cycle. Drive shaft 59extends through the housing and may be provided at its outer end with acontrol knob H2 to permit manual rotation.

. A typical cycle of operation is illustrated in Fig. 9. It will beappreciated, of course, that this cycle may be varied to suit particularconditions by altering the position of the rises on the several cams andthe relationship of one cam to another. Cams 55 and 56 are shown inFigs. 8 and '7, respectively, in the same angular position which theyoccupy in Fig. 9. For the sake of clarity, however, in Figs. 8 and 7,respectively, the rises on each of these cams are also shown in brokenlines in the position which they occupy at the end of the cycle. In thiposition, valve 25 is closed and valve 4| is in water recirculationposition wherein slot 94 is disposed adjacent outlet 43 leading toconduit 44. In other words, the valve to the drain is closed. In thisposition, also, both switches are open and both motors are off.

To start a new cycle of operation, drive shaft 50 is rotated manually bycontrol knob H2 through a small arc until cam 52 closes switch '54 tostart operation of the timer motor. Signal light H9 is in series withthe timer motor, and when this light becomes lighted the operator isapprised that the cycle has commenced and that further manual rotationis unnecessary.v Cam rise 83 now opens valve 25, admitting wash water tothe tub. This valve is illustrated as being open for 1 minutes, whichintroduces sufficient water for the wash cycle. Just before valve 25closes, cam 5| closes switch 53, starting operation of the pump motorwhich continues in operation until the end of the cycle.

During the next portion of the cycle the wash water is recirculated bybeing withdrawn from the tub through conduit 3| and is returned throughspray arm i3. This part of the cycle continues ford minutes, at whichtime cam rise I04 moves valve 4| to drain position, thus draining thewash water from the tub. Near the end of this draining period, cam rise82 opens valve 25 to introduce rinse water into the tub. This valve isshown as being open again for 1% minutes, and at the end of this periodvalve 25 is again closed and valve 4| has been moved to recirculationposition. The cycle then continues until cam rise I05 again moves valve4| todrain position, and when the draining is completed, cams 52 and 5|open both motor circuits and the cycle is completed.

If, for any reason, it should be desirable to provide two automaticrinses, the cams could be appropriately modified to take care of thesituation. Also, instead of turning the drive shaft one revolution percycle, the cams could be changed to secure the desired results inone-half a revolution. It might also be desirable in certain types offluid treatment of materials to introduce a different type of fluid forthe rinse, and in such case valve 25 could be replaced with a two-wayvalve similar to valve 4| but having aclosed position as well as the twoopen positions. Then by appropriately forming the cam the valve would bereadily moved to its three successive positions.

The control unit of the present invention is,

illustrative purposes, and the construction and I arrangement incidentalto a specific application thereof have been disclosed and discussed indetail, it is to be understood that the invention is limited neither tothe mere details or relative arrangement of parts, nor to its specificembodiment shown herein, but that extensive deviations from theillustrated form or embodiment of the invention may be made withoutdeparting from the principles thereof.

What we claim is:

1. A control unit for a, washing machine provided with a tub, spraymeans mounted within the tub, fluid inlet and outlet conduits for thetub, a recirculation conduit connected at one end with the spray means,and a motor driven pump for the re-circulation assembly and providedwith an inlet connected with the tub outlet and an outlet arranged to beselectively connected with the opposite end of the re-circulationconduit or to a drain, such unit functioning to control introduction offluid to the tub for the washing and rinsing parts of a cycle ofoperation and to recirculate such fluid through the spray means duringeach such part, such unit comprising a timer motor provided withspeed-reducing means and a drive shaft driven by said speed reducingmeans arranged to turn one revolution during the cycle, cams providedwith plural rises keyed to such shaft, a one-way reciprocating valvewhose valve stem directly engages one of said cams to open such valve atleast two times during a cycle of operation to admit fluid to the tubinlet for the washing and rinsing parts of the cycle, a

two-way reciprocating valve whose valve stem directly engages another ofsaid cams, said valve being provided with an inlet connected with thepump outlet and with outlets leading to the spray conduit and to thedrain, respectively, and plural rises on said latter cam to move saidvalve to connect the fluid outlet with the drain, and cams keyed to thedrive shaft for controlling operation of the motors.

2. A control unit for a washing machine provided with a tub, spray meansmounted within the tub, fluid inlet and outlet conduits for the tub, are-circulation conduit connected at one end with the spray means, and amotor driven pump for the re-circulation assembly and provided with aninlet connected with the tub out let and an outlet arranged to beselectively connected with the opposite end of the recirculation conduitor to a drain, such unit functioning to control introduction of fluid tothe tub for the washing and rinsing parts of a cycle of operation and tore-circulate such fluid through the spray means during each such part,such unit comprising a timer motor provided with speed-reducing meansand :a drive shaft driven by said speedreducing means arranged to turnat least a portion of a revolution during the cycle, cams provided withplural rises keyed to such shaft, a one-way reciprocating valve whosevalve stem directly engages one of said cams to open such valve at leasttwo times during a cycle of operation to admit fluid to the tub inletfor the washing and rinsing parts of the cycle, a two-way reciprocatingvalve whose valve stem directly engages another of said cams, said valvebeing provided with an inlet connected with the pump outlet and withoutlets leading to the spray conduit and to the drain, respectively, andplural rises on said latter cam to move said valve to connect the fluidoutlet with the drain, said cams moving the valves in one direction andspring moving the valves in the opposite direction and earns keyed tothe drive shaft for controlling operation of the motors.

3. In a dish-washing machine, the combination of spray means mountedwithin the tub, fluid inlet and outlet conduits connected with the tub,and a re-circulation conduit connected at one end with the spray means,a pump for the recirculation assembly, a motor to drive the pump, suchpump being provided with an inlet connected with the tub outlet and anoutlet arranged to be selectively connected with the opposite end of there-circulation conduit or to a drain and means functioning to controlintroduction of fluid to the tub for washing and rinsing parts of acycle of operation and to recirculate such fluid through the spray meansduring each such part, such unit comprising a timer motor provided withspeed-reducing means and a drive shaft driven by the speed-reducingmeans arranged to turn not more than one revolution during the cycle,cams provided with plural rises keyed to such shaft, a one-wayreciprocating valve whose valve stem directly engages one of said camsto open such valve at least two times during a cycle of operation toadmit fluid to the tub inlet for the washing and rinsing parts of thecycle, a, two-way reciprocating valve whose valve stem directly engagesanother of said'cams, said valve being provided with outlets leading tothe spray conduit and to the drain, respectively, and plural rises onsaid latter cam to move said valve to connect the fluid outlet with thedrain, and cams keyed to the drive shaft for controlling operation ofthe motors. .4

JULIUS LA RAU-S. DAVID W. WOLLIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,291,266 Traube Jan. 14, 19191,340,517 Ashley May 18, 1920 1,580,476 Fassio Apr. 13, 1926 1,965,694Drum July 10, 1934 2,150,638 Scott Mar. 14, 1939 2,244,301 Le Gore June3, 1941 2,355,455 McPhilomy Aug. 8, 1944 2,447,848 Edwards Aug. 24, 1948

